78 TOUR IN SUTHERLANDSHIRE. 



note constantly during the night-time : generally it sings 

 about reedy lochs and swamps. The most northern spot at 

 which I heard this bird was at Tongue, where its song was 

 easily distinguished, and had a most pleasing effect amongst 

 the harsher notes of the land-rail, redshank, sea-gulls, &c. 



32. The Willow Wren is also met with wherever there are 

 hedges or plantations. 



There may probably be many other birds of the same 

 family, unobserved by me, in the extensive woods of the 

 southern parts of Sutherlandshire. 



33. The Golden-crested Wren is very numerous throughout 

 the year, 



34. The Fire-crested Wren (Eegulus ignicapillus) is some- 

 times met with. Mr. Bantock, the Duke of Sutherland's game- 

 keeper, who has a collection of birds killed on the property, 

 showed me one specimen. Being very like the golden-crested 

 wren, this bird may be much commoner than is supposed. 



35. The Pied Wagtail; 36. The Grey Wagtail; and 37. 

 The Yellow Wagtail, are all numerous, particularly the two 

 former. 



38. The Titlark abounds in every part of the open and 

 high districts, frequenting the summits even of the highest 

 mountains, where it feeds on the numerous insects to be 

 found amongst the stones and plants. 



39. The Rock Pipit is very similar to the last-named bird ; 

 it frequents the sea-shores. 



40. The Wheatear, coming early in the spring, ranges over 

 the whole county, and is very abundant along the roadside in 

 all the mountainous districts. It departs in the winter. 



41. 42. The Whin Chat and Stone Chat are to be seen in 

 all the rough grounds where furze and broom are abundant. 



43. The Great Titmouse; 44. The Blue Titmouse; 45. 

 The Cole Titmouse; 46. The Long-tailed Titmouse, all en- 

 liven the woods and plantations throughout the year. 

 Although not exactly migratory birds, all the Titmice as 

 well as the Golden-crested Wren seem nearly constantly on 

 the move, passing from tree to tree, from hedge to hedge, 

 from wood to wood, and in fact from district to district, to 

 wherever the insects on which they prey are most numerous. 



47. The Bohemian Waxwing, a very beautiful bird, though 

 not a native, is occasionally killed in Sutherland ; as are 



48. The Hoopoe ; and 49. The Eose-coloured Starling, and 

 probably many other continental visitors. 



